                                Command : ABM

 SYNTAX:
   [##:##] Command: abm <MISSILES> [global-defense-radius]

The `abm' command is used to report  the  status  of  your  arsenal  of  anti-
ballistic missiles.  It is also used to modify the global defense radius (GDR)
in which they will autolaunch against incoming missiles.  Anti-ballistic  mis-
siles are basically just like any other missile.  What makes them unique, how-
ever, is their ability to autolaunch combined with  their  ability  to  defend
another country's territory.

When a missile is launched against a target sector, the world's  ABM  armament
is  automatically  scanned to locate an anti-ballistic missile within striking
range of the incoming missile's target.  Selectable ABMs are  those  that  are
either  owned  by  the target sector's owner, or ABMs that are owned by anyone
and have their global defense radius set to encompass the target sector.  ABMs
with  less  than 60% efficiency as well as ABMs armed with nuclear devices are
not considered for selection.  In the event that several ABMs could  intercept
the incoming missile, the one closest to the target will be selected.

The `abm' command lets you examine and change the global  defense  radius  for

                                Command : ABM

each of your ABMs.  If left set to zero, the ABM will autolaunch ONLY if it is
within  range  of a target sector that YOU OWN.  (I.e., if someone lobs a nuke
into a lake in the middle of your country, you're toast.)  If you set the  GDR
to  some  positive  value up to the maximum range of the missile, it specifies
the radius within which to additionally autolaunch REGARDLESS of who owns  the
target.  Since  your ABMs can be launched even from foreign soil, the GDR com-
bined with strategic missile placement gives you  a  way  to  help  internally
defend another country against missile attack.

   [##:##] Command: abm 14/15/16 .

      #    type           x,y    w  eff ship gdr
     14 abm 1            44,50     100%        0
     15 abm 4            60,50     100%        0
     16 abm 4           -14,122    100%        0
   3 abms

                                Command : ABM

   [##:##] Command: abm 14 5

      #    type           x,y    w  eff ship gdr
     14 abm 1            44,50     100%        5 (was 0)
   1 abm

There are up to three chances for ABM intercepts to be launched against a sin-
gle  incoming  missile, reflecting the rapidly decreasing odds of a successful
intercept as the incoming screams toward its  target.   If  an  ABM  intercept
launch  is  at  all  possible,  it will happen.  If the first intercept should
fail, there is a 66% chance that enough time remains to launch a  second  ABM;
if  the  second  intercept should fail, there is only a 33% chance that enough
time remains for a third ABM to launch.

The probability of an ABM successfully destroying the incoming missile is  the
ratio  of  the  ABM's  attack factor to the incoming's defense factor, times a
random factor from (100-(abm accuracy rating))/100 to 99/100.  Odds  are  then
bounded  at 5% and 95%.  The `show abm' command will print out a complete list
of intercept success odds.

                                Command : ABM

See also : build, planes, nuke-types, launch

